Edge Processing Allows for Faster Decision Making on the IoT

Processing IoT data on the Edge, as opposed to a centralized Cloud, is a big advantage for applications that require low latency. (Image courtesy of Dell).

Dell recently launched its IoT Solutions Partner Program in an effort to bring together companies working to advance Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and solutions. Among the partners is flowthings.io, whose new Edge Execution Engine means its IoT platform offers both edge gateway (edge) and cloud-based real-time data orchestration for IoT solutions.

Living on the IoT Edge Gateway

The Edge Execution Engine will execute processing, filtering and routing within Edge gateways and devices such as the Dell Edge Gateway 5000. This will complement the cloud processing capabilities of the software. Additionally, the flowthings.io platform provides IoT developers with drag-and-drop tools and access to APIs to execute instructions at the edge and in the cloud.

A self-contained executable, the Edge Extension agent runs on any Linux or Darwin operating system with 386, AMD64, ARM6 or ARM7 architectures. It will allow developers to orchestrate data flows between existing IoT devices at the edge, as well as granting the capability to forward the data flows to the cloud.

What the Edge Offers for IoT Solutions

Edge computing, as opposed to cloud computing, makes use of decentralized server resources that are in close proximity to the devices generating data. This is the so-called edge of the network. This approach has big advantages for certain applications, specifically those in which real-time processing requirements necessitate a low latency.

With ever-increasing amounts of data and devices on the IoT, there is a growing need for innovative solutions.

That’s why flowthings.io and the Edge Execution Engine are hoping to bring the advantages of edge computing to the IoT.

“The internet-of-things is an emerging ecosystem where innumerable sensors, devices and gateways gather and communicate real-time data to a wildly heterogeneous universe of apps, visualizations, analytics, databases and systems of record,” said Eric Alterman, CEO of flowthings.io.

Flowthings.io CTO Tom Luczak sees the platform as a much-needed solution. He said, “The new execution engine eliminates the need for stovepipe, one-off glue code to connect sensors, actuators and services… Developers can simply register for an account, create a device and download the appropriate agent to start orchestrating data flows within an edge device.”

IoT enigneers and developers can learn more about the Edge Execution Engine on flowthings.io.